The next morning in Silvermist began with an explosion of extraordinary activity. The sun had just risen on the eastern horizon, painting the sky with a beautiful yet dramatic golden-red hue, as if nature itself was issuing a warning. The city’s stone streets, usually quiet at this hour, were now filled with the rumble of heavy footsteps, the creak of leather armor, the clink of clashing weapons, and hundreds of voices full of excitement mixed with tension. Adventurers, hired hunters, freelance mages, mercenaries, and even a few opportunistic merchants from various regions flocked to the official assembly point.

The morning air was still cool, carrying a thin dew that clung to leaves and tiled roofs, but it was already mixing with the distinct scent of humans ready for battle: sharp weapon oil, sweat-dampened leather, the bitter aroma of herbal potions, and the smell of iron and dust. A thin mist from the mountains still shrouded the distant slopes, creating a mystical atmosphere that perfectly matched the city’s name.

In the ground-floor dining area of the Silver Moon Inn, the place was already nearly full even though the sun hadn’t fully risen. Long and round wooden tables were occupied by hunters eating a quick breakfast. Some spoke loudly and enthusiastically while patting their comrades’ shoulders, others laughed boisterously to cover their nervousness, but quite a few sat silently with tense faces, their hands trembling as they held spoons or mugs of weak morning beer.

Sylvia, Stacia, and Alicia descended from the second floor, already perfectly dressed as a Rank A adventurer team. Sylvia walked in front wearing a tight black tank top that accentuated her athletic figure, a slightly open cropped black jacket that revealed a glimpse of her flat stomach, black leggings, and a long black ponytail that swayed with determination. Her spare rapier hung elegantly at her waist. Beside her, Stacia looked more covered and professional in a silver-gray outfit, with a tightly buttoned jacket and her hair neatly tied in a bun. Alicia at the back became the center of attention in a white-silver tank top and leggings that contrasted perfectly with her freely flowing silver hair, her curvaceous figure clearly displayed without any shame.

As soon as the three appeared, several heads turned. Brief whispers could be heard, but no one dared approach after yesterday’s incident at the guild. The cold aura and faint pressure emanating from the trio was enough to make people keep their distance.

They sat at their favorite corner table near the window. The young waitress, who was already familiar with these guests, quickly approached with the morning menu.

"Warm beef soup with carrots and potatoes, toasted whole wheat bread, spiced scrambled eggs, and mountain herbal tea? Or would you like to add boiled eggs and smoked sausage?"

Sylvia gave a short nod with her usual cold expression. "Three full portions. Add honey to the tea."

The food arrived shortly afterward in appetizing portions. The hot beef soup was steamed with rich spices, tender meat slices that almost melted on the tongue, crispy whole wheat bread with melted butter, golden scrambled eggs, and steaming fragrant mugs of herbal tea. The three of them ate calmly and gracefully, their movements smooth and controlled, as if the tense atmosphere around them had no effect on them at all.

At the next table, conversation flowed nonstop.

"I heard the purple mist inside can drive people insane in minutes," said a burly hunter with a thick beard while greedily chewing his bread. "But the reward... just one hundred gold coins for a small artifact is already enough to retire and buy a house in the southern city. My wife would be thrilled."

His companion, a skinny mage in a worn robe, laughed nervously. "I’m more afraid of those ancient whispers. They say some people hear their dead child calling from inside the mist and immediately stab themselves in the heart. I brought rune earplugs, hopefully they work."

At another table, the voices were lower and filled with worry. "We’re just a reserve team. If we go too deep and the mist gets too thick, we should just retreat. Life is more important than gold. I still have debts, but that doesn’t mean I want to die stupidly."

Sylvia and her two sisters ignored all the chatter. They ate their meal calmly, occasionally chatting lightly about trivial things like how the bread today was crispier than usual, the clear morning weather, and small plans after the mission, like taking a hot bath at the inn.

Stacia gently blew on her tea. "The soup’s spices are quite strong. Perfect for warming the body before the journey."

Alicia smiled slightly while chewing her eggs. "I liked yesterday’s apple pie more. But this is good too."

Sylvia only gave a faint nod, her eyes half-closed as if she was sensing the flow of energy throughout the room.

After finishing their meal, they didn’t rush off immediately. They remained seated casually, sipping their herbal tea while waiting for the right time. Stacia opened her thin novel for a moment to distract herself, Alicia looked out the window while running her fingers through her silver hair, and Sylvia sat upright in a meditative posture, sensing the dimensional pulse growing stronger from the north.

At exactly 7:50, the large city bell in the town hall tower rang loudly DENG... DENG... DENG... the official signal for the hunters to gather. The deep, resonant sound of the bell echoed throughout Silvermist, making everyone’s hearts beat faster.

Sylvia rose first with a smooth movement. "It’s time."

The three of them left the inn and joined the massive flow of people heading toward Lord Harlan’s residence. The streets were now completely packed. Hundreds of people walked together, the thud of heavy boots, the clink of swords and armor, the increasingly strong smell of sweat, and whispers full of anticipation filled the air. Some groups sang simple war songs to raise morale, while others prayed silently.

Upon reaching the spacious courtyard of Lord Harlan’s residence, a magnificent stone building with tall watchtowers and fluttering blue-silver banners, the crowd was already very dense. Guards tried to organize the lines. Lord Harlan, a middle-aged man with a sturdy posture, wearing luxurious gold-embroidered robes and a blue-silver cloak, stepped onto a sturdy wooden stage.

He raised both hands, his loud voice amplified by a voice-enhancing spell.

"Brave hunters and adventurers! Today is a historic day for Silvermist and the entire northern region! This dimensional rift is not just an ordinary crack it holds wealth, ancient knowledge, and artifacts that can change all our fates! Gold, legendary weapons, eternal potions, and priority trading rights with new powers! But remember, only the brave and the wise will return as winners!"

The speech lasted nearly twenty minutes, full of heroic words, tempting reward promises, and brief warnings about the dangers of the purple mist and ancient runes. Sylvia listened with boredom, her eyes cold and expressionless. Stacia mentally noted several important points, while Alicia only smiled faintly, her silver hair sparkling under the morning sun.

Finally, Lord Harlan raised his hand high. "Let’s go! May the Silver God protect you all! Forward!"

"OOOOOHHH!!!"

The thunderous roar of thousands of hunters shook the air. The massive group began moving toward the dimensional rift, located about twenty minutes’ walk north of the city. Sylvia, Stacia, and Alicia walked in the middle of the procession, following the flow without standing out too much, but remaining vigilant of their surroundings.

The short journey took place under the increasingly bright morning sun. Pine and oak trees along the road swayed gently in the wind, birds flew away in fear from the commotion. The ground began to feel more energized, wild grasses swaying strangely as if blown by an invisible wind. The closer they got to the location, the heavier the air felt, like a faint pressure in the chest.

Finally, they arrived.

A massive portal stood imposingly before them, far larger and more intimidating than any they had seen in Eldridge. A nearly fifty-meter diameter circle of dark purple energy rotated slowly in the air, with ancient runes glowing dark red along its edges, pulsing like living veins. Thick purple mist slowly flowed out from inside the portal, carrying a sharp ozone scent mixed with the smell of thousand-year-old dusty books, and something sweet yet rotten like honey mixed with ancient blood.

Stacia leaned her head slightly closer and whispered through telepathy, "This portal is much larger and more stable. Its energy is far more ancient... deeper. I can feel layers of dimensions stacked behind it."

Sylvia gave a small nod without changing her expression. "Stay alert. Don’t let your guard down."

Lord Harlan stood at the front once again, raising his hand. "Enter! Claim wealth and glory!"

The hunters began advancing one by one, stepping into the portal amid cheers that gradually faded into the mist. Sylvia, Stacia, and Alicia stepped forward together with the group.

The moment they crossed the portal’s threshold, the world around them changed drastically.

Although Stacia’s disguise magic held, the dimensional power here was far stronger. Invisible energy currents immediately struck the three of them. Sylvia felt her body being pulled in one direction with tremendous force, while the presence of Stacia and Alicia briefly felt distant in the thick mist.

However, their telepathic bond remained intact and clear.

Stacia, Alicia, where are you? Sylvia asked through telepathy, her voice still cold and controlled.

I’m here, Stacia replied quickly. About a hundred meters to your right. The mist is incredibly thick, I can barely see anything ahead.

I’m separated too, Alicia added, her voice remaining light. But not too far. I can sense both of your positions clearly. We can slowly move closer to each other.

Sylvia felt slightly relieved. Even though they were physically separated, they were still connected. She stepped forward carefully through the dense purple mist, her right hand ready on the hilt of her rapier, her senses wide open. The environment inside the rift felt different, darker, heavier, filled with the pulse of ancient energy that made one’s hair stand on end. Every step felt like walking through thick water, and faint whispers could be heard in the distance.